Condenser and tube cleaner therefor



Sept. 7 1926.

W. H. PHILL|P5 CONDENSER AND TUBE CLEANER THEREFOR .Filud Sept 13, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet Sept. .7 1926.

1,599,283 w. H PHiLLlPS I CONDENSER A D TUBE CLEANER THEREFOR Filed Sept. 13, 1920 -2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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-------------------------- fiE-)l////" Patented Sept. 7, 1926.

PATENT QFFICE.

, UNITED STATES WILL H. PHILLIPS, OF CHICAGO. ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WORTHINGTON PUMP AND MACHINERY CORIEORATION, A CORPORATION OF WES'I VIRGINIA.

CONDENSER AND TUBE CLEANER THEREFOR.

Application filed September 13, 1920. Serial No. 410974;.

This invention relates particularly to surface condensers and means for cleaning the condenser tubes, the object being to provide a simple and practical construction by which 6 the tubes may be cleaned frequently at small cost, without interfering with the operation of the condenser, and condenser tubes thus maintained in the most eflicient condition.

The invention may be applied, however, to other apparatus in which a large number of tubes are to be cleaned by water, steam, air,

or other fluid.

For a full understanding of the invention a detailed description of a construction embodying the same in its most complete and preferred form will now be given in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and the features forming the invention then specifically pointed out in the claims.

, In the drawings Figure 1 is a detail section through the water chamber of a condenser showingthe cleaning device 'in place.

F Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a part of Figure 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the nozzle tube withdrawn and the tube aperture closed.

Figure 4, is an outside end view of the .condenser showing all the tube apertures closed as in Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is an end view looking to the right in Fig. 3;

5 Figure 6 is a cross section on the line 6e of Fig. 3.

Figure 7 is a detail section of the outer head of the cleaning tube.

Figure 8 is a detail section of the nozzle.

Referring to the drawings, the condenser 'A shown is of the common type having the inner tube plates'B carrying the tubes C,

and the outer hea'd D, the plates B, D enclosing the water chamber through which the circulating water passes to and from the tubes C. The head .or water chamber cover 1) isprovided with a series of openings 10, the number. depending upon the size of the condenser, and tljese openings are covered by caps 11 secured to the head in any suitablamannerand packed by packing 1, so 'as'to fiurm. a tight ioint with the head.

In eachcap 11 mounted centrally a ball 1-2 seated in an opening through the cap by rings 9, so .as to forage tight joint whilev free to move universally therein, and this ball 12 is provided with necks 13, 14: on opposite sides, which form supports for the closed on the inside by valve 20 seating on the valve seat at the inner end of the hub, this valve being shown as carried by arm 21 on rock shaft,22, which shaft carries an arm 23 to which spring24. is attached for spring pressing the valve toward its closed position.

The cleaning tube 25 carries at its inner end a removable nozzle 2 so that the nozzle may be changed to suit varying conditions, and at its outer end a head 26 carrying handle 27 for manipulating the tube and a hose connection .28 to which a flexible hose 29 may be attached for supplying water, steam, air or other cleaning fluid. The head 26 35 carries, also, eyes and connecting chains or other flexible links 30, these. being shown as wire links, by which the head may be connected by catch hooks 4 to eyes 5 on the caps 11,,s0 as to hold the cleaning tube in 90. position and prevent accidental removal therefrom when in operation while permitting proper movements,

The cleaning operation will be understood on a brief description:

When the tubes are to be cleaned, one of the covers 17, is swung away from the tube aperture in hub 16, and tube 25 is then inserted through the hub, valve 20 yielding against spring 24. as the tube is. inserted, leavingfa passage through hub 16, ball 12, necks 13, 14, open for the passage of the tube into .the position shown in Fig. 1. Chairis 30 are now connected to" .eyes 5, the cleaning fluid turned on and'the operator, by handle 27., swings the tube 25 by the universal joint formed by ball 12 and moves .the tube longitudinally through the ball so as to clean successively the group of tubes within reach of the-tube, the operation of ing tube is transferred to another cap 11 of tubes, and

giving access to another group until all the this operation is continued tubes are cleaned.

It will be understood that the material cleaned from the tubes passes out with the Water, and that the cleaning involves no interruption in the operation of the condenser. there being; no substantial Water leakage past the cleaning tube, and the Cube aperture being closed automatically on the Withdrawal of the tube. "if desired. sand or other cleaning; material may be added to the fluid and any suitable cleaningfiuid may be used. It is found in practice. however, that Water or steam alone. is satisfactory for condenser tube cleaning under ordinary conditions. If the cleaning; device be applied to tubes other than those'oi condensers. the cleaning" ilui l or material used will depend upon tube conditions.

It will be understood that the invention isnot limited to the specific construction or arrangement of parts shown as embodying the invention. but that modifications may be made therein while retaining the invention defined by the claims.

What I claim is.

v 1. A. surface condenser having a series of tubes and a chamber outside the tube ends, the outer wall of said chau'iher having; a so ries of openings arranged tor the cleaning of the series of tube interiors in different groups. through the diilorent openings, in. combination with universal joint member mounted inc-och of said openings and"l\ avinc: an aperture. for the passage of a c ieaning; lube {or delivery of cleaning fluid to the tubes. and means on the opposite side of the universal joint relatively to the chamluu 'for closing llll universal jointmember the withdrawal the univ rsal joint relatively lo ibe chainher for clrmng each opening automatically .jl'or securely closing on the Withdrawal of the cleaning tubc, and means additional to saicbautoniatic closure each opening after the Withdrawal of the tube.

3. A suri ace condenser having a series of tubes and a chamber outside the tube ends, the outer Wall of said chamber baring a series of openings arranged for the cleaning of the'serics oi tube interiors in dijlerent groups through the different openings; a universal joint member in each of said openi'ng's having an aperture for the passage of a. cleaning tube'for delivery of cleaning fluid into the tubes. and a closure for said apes true on the opposite side of. the'universal joint relatively to the chamber forming a. partof the universal. jointrnember adapted to be opened by the insertion of the cleani115: tube and automatically closed on the ritl'idrawal or": the tube.

l. A surface condenser having a series of tubes and a chamber outside the tube ends. the outer Wall of said chamber having a. series of openings arranged for the cleaning; of the series of tube interiors in diilerent groups through the different operiings. a universal joint member "in each of said op ns ings having; an aperture for the passa of a cleaning tube for delivery of cleaning fluid into the tubes. a closure on the opposit-e side of the universal joint relative to the chamber for said aperture adapted to be opened bv the insertion of the cleaning tube and automatic-(div closed on the with drawal of the tube. and means additional b said automatic closure for securely clown, the tube aperture after the withdrawal of the tube. Y

5. A condenser having a series of tubes and a" chamber outside the tubes. the outer wall, of the chan'ibcr hav'ing'an opening. a. hollow universal joint member in said opening and having an aperture for the passas'o or. cleaning tube and a closure for said aperture mounted Within said hollow i iirersal joint member and outside of 9 id chen l'ier adapted to be opened by the cleaning; tube on its insertion and automatically closed on the withdrawal of the tube.

6. A condenser l'iaving a series 0t tubes and a chaml'ier outside the tubes. the outer Wall of the chamber having an opening. a universal joint member in said opening and having an aperture for the passage of a cleaning: tubeg-a. closure for said aperture on the opposite s de of the universal ioint relati'vclv to the chamber adapted to be opened by the'clcaninof tube on its n ction and auton'iatically closed on them. lulraufal oi the tube. and :r cover for securely closing the color eud oi the univer al joint' member aperture aller the withz b-a. al oi the tube.

7. The combination with a wall I) having an oi'ieuinq or a cap' 11 closing said opening.

a ball losing an opening in said ca and ill) having an aperture for a cleaning tube, a valve chamber 14 mounted outside said cap and having a tube aperture communicating through said chamber with the aperture In said ball and a valve seat surrounding the aperture in said chamber, and a spring closed valve 20 on said seat adapted to be opened by the tube on itsinsertion, I

8. The combination with a wall I) having an opening, of a cap 11 closing said opening, a ball 12 closing an opening in said cap and having an aperture for a cleaning tube, a valve chamber 14 mounted outside said cap and having a tube aperture communicating through said chamber with the a' erture in said ball, a valve seat surroun in the aperture in said chamber, a springc osed valve 20 on said seat adapted to be ppenedby the tube on its insertion, and. a movable cover 17 outside the'valve chamber for securely closing th tube aperture.

9. A surface condenser having a series of tubes and a chamber outside the tube ends,

the outer wall of said chamber having a series of openings, a universal joint member in each of saidopenings having an aperture for the passage of'a cleaning tube, a valve chamber mounted on the universal joint member and on the opposite side of the universal joint relatively to the chamber and having a tube aperture in communication through the chamber with the aperture in the universal joint member, a valve seat surrounding the valve chamber aperture, and an automatically closed valve on said seat adapted to on its inser ion.

10. A surface condenser having a series of tubes and a chamber outsidethe tube ends, the outer wall of said chamber having a series of openings, a universal joint memj berin ach of said openings having an aperture fdr the passage of a cleaning tube, a.

valve chamber mounted} on. the universal joint member and outside of the universal joint and having atube aperture in communication through the chamber with the aperture in the u-niversal joint member, a valve seat surrounding the valve chamber aperture, an automaticallyclosed valve on said" seat adapted to be opened by the tube on its insertion, and a movable cover outside the I valve chamber for securely closing the tube "of tubes and a ehamberoutside the tubes,

aperture. .11. A surface condenser having a series the outer wall of the chamber having an opening, a universal joint member in said opening and having an aperture for the passage of a cleaning tube, a valve chamber mounted on the universal joint member and outside of the universal joint and having a tube aperture in communication through the chamber with the aperture in the universal joint member, a valve seat surrounding the be opened by the tube ber being ing and having an aperture for the passage.

of a cleaning tube, a valve chamber mrrunted on the universal joint member and outside of the universal joint and having a tube .pertur'e in 2 communication through the chamber with the aperture in the universal joint member, a valve seat surrounding the valve chamberaperture, a spring closed valve on said seat adapted-to happened by the tube on its insertion, and a movable cover outside the valve'chamber fer securely closing the tube aperture.

13. The combination with the water tubes and circulating .water chamber of a surface condenser, the outer wall of the water chamber being provided with an opening, of a cover for the opening forming a water-tight joint with the chamber wall, a universal joint 'member mounted in said cover and forming a water-tight joint with the cover and having an aperture for the insertionof a cleaning tube for delivery of cleaning fluid to the tubes, said aperture being adapted to be closed by'the tube on its insertion into the water chamber to prevent the; flow of water through said aperture, and means forclosing the aperture to prevent the flow of water when the cleaning tube is withdrawn.

14. The combination with the water tubes and circulating water chamber of a surface.

Hit

condenser, the outer wall of thewater chamrovided with an opening of a universal oint member mounted in said opening and having an aperture for the insertion of, a cleaning tube and forming a water-tight joint with the charhber wall, a cleaning tube adapted to be inserted throuah saidz-aperture in the universal joint and to prevent substantial flow of water through said aperture, and a valve on the opposite side of the universal joint relatively to the chamber adapted to be opened by the insertion of thejc'leanin'g tube and automatically closed on the withdrawal of the tube to prevent t he escape of'water from' the aperture.

15 A cleaning device, consisting of a cap ada 'ted to close an opening in a condenser wal a universal joint member mounted in said cap and forming a fluid-tight joint therewith and having an aperture for the insertion of a cleaning tube, a cleaning tube adapted to be inserted through said aperture and to prevent substantial flow of fluid through said aperture, and a valve on the opposite side of the universal joint relatively to the chamber for closing said aperture adepted to he opened by theinsertion of the cleaningtube. and eutematicaliy :closed on the withdrawal of the cleaning tube.

16. A cleaning de:viee,consisting of a cap adapted. to close an opening in a condensermember mounted mv W311, a. universal joint said cap and forming a fluid-tight 101m; therewith and having an aperture for the msertion of acleaning tube, a cleaning tubeedapted to be inserted "through said aperture and to prevent substantial flow of fluigi emme Zing tube, and a covet for securely closing the outer end of the aperture when the cleaning tube is ithdrawn.

1n testimony whereof, I have hereunto sei; myhend.

WILL H. PHILLiP aperture, 21 valve on the oppoa i J 

